Over the past month, I've read my friends "thankful" posts - triggering me to think of my own each day. The problem with this is that once I start thinking of all of the things/people/experiences for which I'm thankful, I can't stop. It has made me a happier person.
I have had the incredible privilege to live my amazing life. Each moment, each person, each experience and encounter, all of those and everything in between, has gotten me to where I am: so full of joy and thanks that it is often disturbingly powerful. Because of you, my friends, family, acquaintances, loves, and furbabies, I am grateful, hopeful, and driven to be a kinder, more thoughtful, and loving person.
My family and friends have picked me up when I was at my lowest moment, laughed with me and at me when it was appropriate and, of course, completely inappropriate. My journeys have carried me to see amazing sights and meet wonderful people. I have loved and lost, overcome and succumbed, given and taken, provided and been provided for, and lived beyond my imagination.
Today, I am grateful for everything mentioned above, but most of all, I am grateful for loving one of the most kind, considerate, forgiving, tolerant, patient, compassionate, goofy, loyal, and supportive people I know. I am grateful for the past three years that I've been able to spend with my family, by their side as they have been by mine. I am grateful for the conversations I had with my dad before he left this earth, for the hugs and smiles I will always remember, for his colorful language and demanding nature, and for his love. I am grateful for my mother's strength and love, for her hugs, for her amazing cooking skills, and for her belief in me. I am grateful for my siblings and their spouses for their friendship, love, support, jokes, children, kindness, warmth, and unconditional caring for me, each other, their children, and our mother. Finally, I am grateful for my sweet girls who wag their tail each time we walk through the door, who roll over as you approach them in hopes that their tummies will be rubbed, who dig the largest and deepest holes I've ever seen in 5 seconds flat, who think the raised garden bed is their personal sandbox, who crawl in bed with me on Saturday mornings, who swim and run with such glee and joy you can't help but revel in their happiness.
I am thankful for all that has happened, continues to happen, and for what the future holds. I have a feeling the next year will entail more adventures, more love, and an incredibly powerful journey.
